“I think our model is actually of more convenience for consumers,” he told reporters.

A day after announcing his plan to privatize alcohol sales, Hudak still could not provide details on what the future of the LCBO holds.

“The answer is that all options are on the table. I will do what is in the best interest of taxpayers and I would like some advice on how best to provide those services.”

Hudak said the options a Progressive Conservative government would consider include selling or franchising existing Liquor Control Board of Ontario outlets while stripping the agency of much of its retail powers and putting the brakes on any further expansion.

“I don’t think in this day and age when people are waiting far too long for surgery ... why you’d spend $100 million on building fancy new LCBO stores ... they’re the Holt Renfrew of liquor retail ... but is that really the priority for taxpayers who are waiting far too long for health care?” he said.

The LCBO last year made $1.6 billion profit, but Hudak argued that his quasi-privatization plan will make even more money if alcoholic drinks are more readily available.

The question remains whether a Tory government would sell the LCBO outright, as was the case in Alberta with its government-owned agency, or sell it off piecemeal, which critics says is the equivalent of death by a thousand cuts.

Hudak said he is stumped as to why a man or woman driving a LCBO truck or stocking shelves has to be a unionized worker, which critics insist is yet another attack on organized labour by the Progressive Conservative leader.

More on thestar.com

We value respectful and thoughtful discussion. Readers are encouraged to flag comments that fail to meet the standards outlined in our
Community Code of Conduct.
For further information, including our legal guidelines, please see our full website
Terms and Conditions.